2013 - The 75th Anniversary of Johnny Vander Meer's Back to Back No Hitters!

“Before he died, I promised Vandy’s boyhood best friend that I’d do everything I could to help keep the memory of his friend and the record alive. That is why I wrote this book and had this website created.”

THE CHILDREN’S BOOK:

12-year-old Richie doesn’t think things can get any worse. Not only does his highly competitive nature make it difficult for him to make friends, but when his father breaks his leg, Richie discovers that he must get a job to help his family. His initial sadness is quickly replaced when he lands a job as Batboy for the Cincinnati Reds. But trouble continues to brew as Richie discovers that he must answer to a bossy Senior Batboy, obey many strict rules, and convince the guys at school that he really did land the job.

"Kids are always chasing rainbows, and baseball is a world where you can catch them."

-- Johnny Vandermeer

Can Richie hang onto his new job and have the experience of a lifetime witnessing Johnny Vander Meer pitch a record two-in-a-row No-Hitter? Find out in this heart-warming tale of encouragement, perseverance, and friendship as one young boy learns that baseball is a world where you really can catch rainbows!

No other children’s book chronicles Johnny Vander Meer’s amazing achievement. Parents and children who love baseball and learning about the game’s rich history will adore this book.

For more information about the author, visit www.robertskead.com.
For more information about Johnny Vander Meer or Batboy Stories: The Unbreakable Record book by Robert Skead, send an e-mail to rob@robertskead.com.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY:

Robert Skead learned about Johnny Vander Meer in 1996, when he and his wife moved to Midland Park, New Jersey. He soon became fascinated with his story—small town boy becomes Major Leaguer, sets record that no one will ever break, is loved by his hometown and helps local children with scholarship money and good deeds. However, it was when he attended “Johnny Vander Meer Day,” a special Midland Park event held on April 28, 1996, that his appreciation for the man truly began.

Sadly, only a year and a half after that event, Johnny Vander Meer died at the age of 82. Soon thereafter, Rob was put in touch with Johnny's life-long best friend, Mr. Dick Jeffer, who was 83-years-old at the time.

With their shared love of the game, Rob and Mr. Jeffer became close friends. Mr. Jeffer asked him to do whatever he could to help keep the memory of his best friend and the record alive. To keep his promise, Rob knew children everywhere should learn this story about Vandy’s amazing accomplishment and he set out to write a children’s’ book that detailed the events—Batboy Stories: The Story of Johnny Vander Meer’s Unbreakable Record is the result of his hard work. Sadly, Mr. Jeffers recently passed away in a local nursing home at the age of 96. But Rob knows it would have been his favorite book.